The Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative (MEC) was named a 2023 Tree Line Utility by the Arbor Day Foundation in recognition of its commitment to proper urban forest management in its service area. This is the ninth consecutive year that the cooperative has received this award.
Tree Line USA, a partnership between the Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters, recognizes public and private utilities for implementing best practices in protecting and caring for America’s urban tree canopy. In addition, Tree Line USA encourages the provision of safe, reliable electricity while preserving healthy community forests.
“Trees are essential to creating more urban green space in communities across the United States,” said Dan Lambe, executive director of the Arbor Day Foundation. “In addition, they offer important benefits to residents, including clean air, clean water and vital trees for shade. Service providers like the Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative show how easily trees and utilities can coexist for the benefit of communities and local residents.”
By participating in the Tree Line USA program, service providers benefit from lower line clearing costs through proper pruning. As a result of these properly pruned and cared for trees, people benefit from increased reliability of service as these trees have healthy root systems that are less likely to decay, have fewer structural weaknesses and ultimately result in fewer downed wires during storms.
“Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative is pleased to receive this recognition,” said John C. Lee, Jr., President and CEO of MEC. “Healthy trees contribute to cleaner air and water, and the windbreak and shade they provide help support wildlife, conserve energy, and reduce peak loads. We are committed to providing our members with safe, reliable and affordable electricity and being good environmentalists. Proper care of our trees and forests today leads to a better quality of life tomorrow. I am proud that our vegetation management team has upheld the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree Line USA standards for nine years and has earned this recognition year after year.”
Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative received recognition from Tree Line USA by meeting five program standards: quality tree care, annual worker training, tree planting and public education, a formal tree-based energy conservation, and sponsorship or participation in the Arbor Day celebration.
Ray DeJarnette, MEC Arborist and Vegetation Services Manager, commented, “Our mission is to follow best practices in public and private tree care and we are proud to be recognized for our continued efforts in this endeavor.”
For more information about Tree Line USA, visit www.arborday.org/TreeLineUSA.
About the Electrical Cooperative Mecklenburg
Founded in 1938, the Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative is the not-for-profit electric utility serving more than 31,000 meters in portions of Virginia, Brunswick, Charlotte, Greensville, Halifax, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Pittsylvania, Southampton and Sussex counties and North Carolina counties of Granville, Person, Northampton, Vance and warren. It is a Touchstone Energy Cooperative with headquarters in Chase City and district offices in Gretna, Emporia, Chase City and Bracey. It is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Visit meckelec.org for more information.
About the Arbor Day Foundation
Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees with more than one million members, supporters and valued partners. Since 1972, nearly 500 million Arbor Day Foundation trees have been planted in neighborhoods, communities, cities and forests around the world. Our vision is to lead to a world where trees are used to solve problems essential to survival.
As one of the world’s largest active conservation foundations, the Arbor Day Foundation, through its members, partners and programs, educates and engages stakeholders and communities around the world to get involved in its mission of planting, nurturing and celebrating trees. Visit arborday.org for more information.
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